A very young U23s side gave us a very mature performance last night to run out winners against RIASA (Leeds). To put things in context, the trainers I was wearing were older than most of the Young Blues & the coat I was wearing was older than any player on the pitch!
What pleased me most was the tackling that was on show – good, solid, robust challenges (apart from a couple of naughty ones that got perpetrated on our boys in the 2nd half) with no rolling round on the floor – well done to both sets of players
It was also fabulous to see Super Danny Selwood back in a blue shirt as he took his place on the bench
Frickley’s youngster’s turned in a very courageous performance against a decent RIASA side, who pushed the hosts all the way in a pretty even game.
The home side had 5 U16’s & 2 U17’s in a very youthful squad, also 3 lads making their debuts.
The first half performance probably reflected this and they got off to the worst possible start as the visitors took the lead in the opening 5mins when a long range shot which found the bottom corner. The whole half, if we’re honest was a bit disjointed and lacking any real quality from the home side.
But there was plenty of effort from new signing Bailey Cowsell who was proving to be a real handful up top, along with returning Skipper Mason Kilmartin, the aggressive Josh Smith & full back Layton Armitage.
Mid way through the 1st half Taine Clement got injured which saw the introduction of 16 years old George Blaydes to make his debut after some impressive performances for our academy.
Second half the home side settle down and start creating some decent chances, Joshua Hague (you can’t beat seeing a Josh Haig / Hague in a Frickley shirt!) was at the heart of all attacking moves along with the tenacious Deighton Armitage & the returning Owen Hall. Mid way through the second half Frickley equalised when Bailey Cowsell fed the talented Josh Hague who played a 1-2 with Josh Cummins and he cut inside to fire a superb left footer into the bottom corner from just inside the box.
We were on top now and took the lead when an in-swinging corner found Callum Beaumont (a veteran by comparison to his team mates!!) who’s effort was blocked on the line but was scrambled home by George Blaydes to score on his debut from close range.
George nearly had the perfect debut when he cut in from the left and curled a beauty onto the inside of the post with the keeper beaten, 2 more of his academy teammates where introduced for their debuts for the last 25mins Joe Cooney & James Nicklin came on and looked more than comfortable at this level.
Young Goalkeeper Dylan Sefton made a couple of fine saves late on as the visitors pushed for an equaliser, but Frickley young guns hung on and just about deserved the 3 point.
The Bob Smith MOTM could have been any of the young goal scorers Josh Hague or George Blaydes but they lost out to another 16 year old talent in Josh Smith who was outstanding on his full debut in the heart of Frickley’s defence.
